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Find the Best B Complex and B Vitamin Supplements

Tests Reveal Best and Worst B Vitamin Supplements and Why Current Labels Often Mislead

B vitamin supplements compared in this review :

365 Folic Acid

Natrol Biotin

Shaklee® B-Complex

Bluebonnet EarthSweet Chewables Methylcobalamin

Natural Factors B12

Slo-Niacin

Country Life Vitamin B 12

Natural Factors Vitamin B3

Solgar Sublingual Vitamin B12

CVS Health B12

Nature's Bounty B-12 1000 mcg

Source Naturals B-6

CVS Health Niacin

Nature's Bounty B-12 Quick Dissolve

Spring Valley [Walmart] B-12 - Natural Cherry Flavor

Doctor's Best Benfotiamine

Nature's Bounty Niacin

Spring Valley [Walmart] Folic Acid

Douglas Laboratories Methyl Folate

Nature's Bounty Quick Dissolve B-12 - Natural Cherry Flavor

Spring Valley [Walmart] Niacin

Dr. David Williams ZemBright Mood Plus

Nature's Life Biotin

Sundown Naturals Folic Acid

Finest Nutrition [Walgreens] Folic Acid

Nature's Way Vitamin B2

Swanson Super Stress B-Complex with Vitamin C

Finest Nutrition [Walgreens] Niacin

NOW Niacinamide

Swanson Ultra Vitamin B-12

GNC B-Complex

NutriCology Pantethine

Terry Naturally P-5-P/Mag

GNC Vitamin B-12

PipingRock.com Vitamin B-2

The Vitamin Shoppe B-1 Thiamin

Jarrow Formulas Methyl Folate

Pure Encapsulations B12 Liquid q full dropper

Thorne Research Basic B Complex

KAL Pantothenic Acid

Puritan's Pride Folic Acid 800 mcg

Vitacost Biotin

Kirkland Signature [Costco] Signature B-Complex

Puritan's Pride Niacin

Vitafusion B Complex

Klaire Labs Vitamin B6

Puritan's Pride Sublingual B-12 Microlozenges 500 mcg

Vitamin World Folic Acid

Life Extension Vitamin B3 Niacin

Rexall B-12

Vitamin World Sublingual B-12

MegaFood® Balanced B Complex

Rite Aid Pharmacy Folic Acid

Wonder Laboratories Folic Acid

Member's Mark® [Sam's Club] Niacin

Make sure the B-complex or B vitamin supplement you take passed our test and is right for you!
Isn't your health worth it?

B vitamins are popular supplements as they play an essential role in energy production and the proper functioning of the body — including memory. While most people get enough B vitamins from their food, some don't get enough including those who are older, take medicine that lowers stomach acid, are pregnant, or have certain genetic mutations.

So which are the best B-complexes and single B vitamins?

ConsumerLab.com's tests of 50 B-complex and single B vitamin supplements showed that 3 products contained much more of one or more B vitamins than listed. In fact, it was discovered that taking a popular B-complex would cause you to unexpectedly get 50% more than the tolerable upper intake level of folate. Furthermore, the science regarding daily vitamin requirements has changed, but the FDA has given companies until 2018 or later to update their labels. As a result, you may be getting a lot more of certain B-vitamins than you need.

You must be a member to get the full test results along with ConsumerLab.com recommendations and quality ratings. You will get results for 32 B vitamin and B-complex supplements selected by ConsumerLab.com and 18 others which passed testing in its voluntary Quality Certification Program. Also listed are five products similar to ones that passed testing but are sold under different brand names.

In this comprehensive review, you'll discover:

Which B vitamin supplements failed testing and which passed

Cost comparisons and quality ratings of B vitamin supplements

Information on what B vitamin supplements can and cannot do for you -- some may reduce memory decline!

Important differences among forms of B vitamins, such as those of niacin (nicotinic acid, niacinamide, and inositol hexanicotinate), folate (natural folate, folic acid, and L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate), and B-12 (methylcobalamin and cyanocobalamin), as well as how oral B-12 compares to B-12 injections.

Learn More About Vitamin B Supplements

Question:Being over 50 years old, I'm looking to take a vitamin B-12 supplement. I see that many contain a form of vitamin B-12 called cyanocobalamin, yet I read on the Internet that this form is toxic. Should I be concerned? Get the answer >>

Question:What is Lipo-flavonoid and does it work for tinnitus or other ear problems? Get the answer >>

Question:Which supplements are important after bariatric surgery (i.e., weight loss or stomach-reducing surgery)? Are there any I should avoid? Get the answer >>

Question:Do any supplements help with nerve pain, like sciatica or diabetic neuropathy? Get the answer >>

Question:I have been having neurological symptoms, and a blood test showed I have toxic levels of vitamin B-6. My multivitamin contains 75 mg of B-6, but this is below the upper limit of 100 mg per day. Could my vitamin contain more than it lists? Get the answer >>

Question:I thought the B vitamins were all water soluble and did not build up in the body, so you would not build up toxic levels. Am I wrong? Get the answer >>

Question:Do any supplements help for tinnitus? Is it true that some supplements can cause tinnitus? Get the answer >>

Question:Does nicotinamide riboside (as in Niagen and Basis) really have anti-aging or other health benefits? Get the answer >>

Question:Do any supplements improve balance or reduce the risk of falls? Get the answer >>

Question:Are lozenges and sublingual pills considered dietary supplements? Get the answer >>

Question:I was told I have a MTHFR gene mutation. What do I need to know about taking B vitamins? Get the answer >>

Question:I read on your website that some B-12 vitamins can cause diarrhea due to added sugar substitutes like sorbitol. I have had diarrhea and never thought it could be caused by my vitamin B-12 supplement, until I read your article and stopped taking the supplement. My diarrhea stopped immediately. Can you help me find a brand of B-12 that doesn't contain sorbitol or sugar substitutes that could cause this problem? Get the answer >>

Question:Which supplements can help with indigestion and/or heartburn? Get the answer >>

Question:Are there any supplements I should avoid when taking acetaminophen? Get the answer >>

Question:Do vitamin B12 patches, like those from PatchMD, really work? Get the answer >>

Question:What are the most common, potentially dangerous interactions between supplements and drugs? Get the answer >>

Question:My HDL (good) cholesterol level is low. Should I take niacin to raise my HDLs? Get the answer >>

Question:I've been taking a Daily Advantage multi but am now concerned by the very high % DV for vitamin C (833% DV), niacin (325% DV), and B vitamins (over 1,000% DV for several). The company tells me this formula is based on clinical experience and the scientific literature. What do you think? Get the answer >>

Question:Can prenatal vitamins have too much folic acid? Mine has 800 mcg, but isn't that more than what's recommended? Is this dangerous to me or my baby? Get the answer >>

Question:What is Brain Bright and can it really improve memory or cognition? Get the answer >>

Question:Are the "% DV" numbers on vitamin supplement labels really based on what I need? Get the answer >>

Question:Are there any supplements I should avoid when taking an antibiotic? Are there any that may be helpful? Get the answer >>

Question:I read that aging lowers the body's capacity to produce vitamin D. Even regular sun exposure will not suffice and one may have to take a vitamin D3 supplement during old age to meet our body's regular requirements. Please comment on this. Get the answer >>

Question:Do any supplements help reduce the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS)? Get the answer >>

Question:Can vitamins or other supplements cause a change in the ability to taste, or even a loss of taste? Get the answer >>

Question:I was surprised when my doctor told me to stop taking supplements because my kidney function was low. But after stopping the supplements, my kidney function returned to normal. Can taking a lot of supplements really damage the kidneys? Get the answer >>